A faction of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) party, primarily composed of members loyal to former leader Nelson Chamisa, has voiced its opposition to Zimbabwe’s bid for readmission into the Commonwealth under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
The Commonwealth, or the Commonwealth of Nations, is a political association of 56 member countries, most of which were former territories of the British Empire.
The organization promotes peace, democracy, and development, providing a platform for member states to collaborate on various issues.
In a statement, party spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi outlined reasons why the Commonwealth should reject Zimbabwe’s application to rejoin the group under the current government.
Mkwananzi criticised the general elections held in August 2023, describing them as “deeply flawed” and marred by significant voter intimidation, manipulation by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), and unresolved irregularities in vote tallying.
He also pointed out the ongoing incarceration of faction leader Jameson Timba and other party activists since June 2024, among other issues. Said Mkwananzi:
<blockquote>
In addition to the failed electoral system, the opposition faces unprecedented attacks. Our members, including Amos Chibaya and Senator Timba, have been unjustly arrested and detained without trial, while others remain behind bars under politically motivated charges.
The fraudulent recall of 15 MPs and 17 councillors by individuals unaffiliated with our party demonstrates the regime’s subversion of democratic norms.
Further, the funds meant for our party have been diverted to imposters, rendering us financially constrained in fighting for democracy.
Zimbabwe’s judiciary has been captured by the executive, with rulings that consistently favour the government while disregarding constitutional rights.
Chief Justice Luke Malaba’s tenure extension, ruled unconstitutional by legal experts, casts a shadow over the judiciary’s credibility.
Corruption scandals such as the ZESA and Kuvimba Mining House cases continue to erode public trust, while the victims of state-sponsored violence, including opposition members, still await justice.
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi added that, given these gross violations of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, the Commonwealth should reject Zimbabwe’s application for readmission until genuine reforms are implemented.
He said that Zimbabwe must restore democratic integrity and accountability before it can be welcomed back into the international community.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Some people in a political party in Zimbabwe do not want the country to join the Commonwealth under their current leader. They say the recent elections were not fair, and many people were intimidated. The party members have been arrested, and the government is accused of corruption. They want Zimbabwe to make changes before joining the Commonwealth. They think the country needs to improve democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. They want the international community to wait until these changes happen before letting Zimbabwe back in.

Former Chamisa Loyalists In CCC Opposed To Zimbabwe's Commonwealth Readmission Under Mnangagwa

<h3>Statement by Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi on the arrest of party activists, corruption, and legitimacy:</h3>
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe faces a deepening political crisis characterized by narrowing democratic space, arrests, political persecution and weaponization of the law.
At the center of the crisis is; tragic leadership failure, political and institutional illegitimacy, corruption and moral decadence.
In the advent of the SADC visit, it is our fervent hope that SADC will live up to its SEOM report and help Zimbabwe resolve its electoral dispute in order to forestall the legitimacy challenges that continue to hinder political progress and economic transformation in the country, with adverse effects in the region.
<h2>Politicized detention of Senator Jameson Timba and Avondale 78</h2>
As we mark 40 days since Senator Timba and 78 others have been detained without bail, it is imperative to restate the unjustified circumstances of their arrest and brutalization.
Hon Timba and others were arrested on the 16th of June 2024, a day recognized worldwide as the day of the African child and which our movement has historically and traditionally commemorated.
Furthermore, they were conducting a private commemoration at a private space, at Hon. Timba’s residence to be specific.
They were not in breach of any law nor a threat to peace and public order. Yet, the police, without provocation, brutally pounced on them, assaulting them with button sticks and teargas before arresting and denying them bail.
The excessive use of force in this case highlights the regime’s unnecessary fears, insecurity and paranoia and is unacceptable in what is meant to be an independent and democratic Zimbabwe.
Since their inhuman and degrading treatment, Senator Timba and others were arrested and remain in political detention, denied their right to bail and living in squalid conditions.
Several members of the detained sustained varied degrees of injuries, emanating from police beatings and brutality.
For example, Tambudzai Makokoro sustained a fractured leg which has gone septical and continues to pour out puss with a possibility of amputation if no urgent medical intervention is given.
Three others were beaten and their ear drums burst and no medical care has been afforded serve for administration of basic pain killers, a far cry from the specialized medical treatment they urgently require. 
Maureen Dinha is detained with her one and a half years old baby, exposed to unhygienic prison conditions.
As if that is not enough, Maureen lost her other child and was denied the right to go and bury him, ironically reminiscent of the Ian Smith regime that denied Robert Mugabe and many others to go and bury their loved ones.
Nicole Chabata, a Form Four student and O level candidate has continually been denied bail to allow her to prepare for her examinations.
Another inmate, who already had a natural disability was heavily assaulted and dislocated his hand and may end up with a double disability, the latter being police induced.
In response, the party has continued to organise and coordinate support and solidarity to the affected through court solidarity, daily upkeep of the detained, medical and legal support, counselling, prison visits and sustaining political pressure for their release and their case to remain on the local and international agenda.
Citizens have also done commendable work by speaking out against the unjustified arrests and organizing support and solidarity to the victim’s families, most of whom are left with no breadwinner and have to fend for and sustain themselves.
Citizens, advocates of justice, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the public at large are reminded that their trial commences on Monday the 29th of July 2024.
You are all implored and called upon to turn out in your numbers to offer your support and solidarity and to send a message to the government that weaponisation of the law to punish and silence legitimate opposition leaders and human rights activists should and will not be a part of our political culture.
In short, this is a call for local, regional and international solidarity to voice out our disagreement against the use of the law and justice system to prosecute political opponents.
Significantly, it is worth noting that the arrest of Senator Timba and others is not the only case of political arrest and persecution since the August 2023 disputed harmonized elections.
A few days ago, more than 60 activists of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) were brutally and violently arrested including their National President Emmanuel Sitima.
The statics below highlight the escalating and disturbing trend of political persecution, including 3 rape victims in Muzarabani, and displacements including evictions by Chiefs of villagers in Muzarabani for supporting the alternative.
Presently, the top leadership of the alternative is under siege, either in detention, in hiding or one form of threat or the other.
Many bear under threat of arrest and abduction for merely being members of the alternative. Several leaders report receiving anonymous calls threatening them.
Church leaders who organized and submitted a petition in Zambia have been threatened and forced to flee their homes.
<h2>Rampant Corruption, Rent-Seeking, Plunder and Pilferage</h2>
The government of Zimbabwe has been the chief perpetrator of corruption, rent-seeking and plunder of state resources, awarding lucrative contracts to themselves, their kith and kin and their cronies and proxies.
This is the root cause of the continued failure and regression of the national economy, pushing millions of Citizens into abject poverty and starvation.
The partisan distribution of national resources extends to food distribution which has been highly politicized and weaponized against those perceived to hold opposition views.
A prominent example is the late Mboneni Ncube’s family who have been repeatedly been denied food. 
Mboneni was brutally murdered by suspected ZANU PF activists at an opposition campaign rally in Kwekwe.
Several high-profile corruption cases have been reported and exposed but no arrests have been made.
Mr. Wicknell Chivhayo who has been named in several high-profile scandals remains not only scot-free but boastful that nothing will happen to him.
We continue to vehemently denounce corruption and call on members of the public to report, expose and denounce corruption whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head.
<h2>Political and Institutional Illegitimacy</h2>
It is common cause that the August 2023 harmonized elections where fraudulently flawed and did not produce a legitimate and outright winner. This is acknowledged by all election observer missions, including SADC.
This means that the government currently in place in Zimbabwe is illegitimate and not properly constituted in terms of the laws of the country, it is a defacto government.
This is further exacerbated by the unlawful recall of our parliamentary and local government representatives elected on the same disputed elections. This has delegitimized the current parliament.
We insist on the reinstatement of our lawfully elected officials and the removal of the imposters imposed by Mr. Tshabangu and others in connivance with ZANU PF.
The weaponization and capture of the judiciary and the disputed Presidency of Mr. Mnangagwa means that Zimbabwe now suffers political and institutional illegitimacy.
The three key institutions of the state, namely the executive, the judiciary and the legislature have been bastardized and delegitimized.
It is our considered view that the coming of SADC into Zimbabwe is a welcome and rare opportunity to help foster a political solution to the Zimbabwe’s challenges, restore legitimacy and avert the deteriorating political situation.
The issue of the disputed elections ought to be foremost on the SADC agenda with a view to facilitate dialogue and ultimately a political settlement between the two contending Presidential candidates namely Advocate Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa. There is no other alternative to this dialogue.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Citizens' Coalition for Change wants Senator Timba and others released from prison because they were arrested unfairly. People are speaking out against the unjust arrests, even supporting the families of the victims. The government is accused of corruption and unfair distribution of resources. The group believes the government is not legitimate and wants a new election. They are asking for help from SADC to solve Zimbabwe's problems. The group wants dialogue between Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa to find a solution. The situation in Zimbabwe is getting worse, and the group hopes things will improve with international help.

CCC's Mkwananzi Calls For Release Of Timba, Pins Hope On SADC Summit

The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) faction, which previously supported the party’s former leader Nelson Chamisa, has unequivocally distanced itself from Welshman Ncube and Jacob Mafume. These two individuals purportedly assumed leadership roles within the opposition party.
During a media briefing held in Harare on Thursday, March 21, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi emphatically stated that the party does not recognize Ncube and Mafume as legitimate leaders. He said:
<blockquote>
Those who claim that they are leaders of CCC are liars. They should be here but they are not. People should not listen to those men as they are not the leaders of the party.
In terms of Councillor Mafume, he was elected and sponsored under CCC. He was our candidate and has decided what he has decided and the party can not be beholden to that.
This movement is bigger than any individual, not least its objectives and aims which is to attain and usher in democratic change in our country.
</blockquote>
In a subsequent statement released on Thursday, Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson for CCC, announced that the party’s Citizens National Assembly (CNA) convened and reaffirmed its stance in rejecting Welshman Ncube’s assertions regarding party leadership. He said:
<blockquote>
The CNA reconfirmed its resolution of the 31st of January on the leadership of the party and dismissed with contempt, the delusional claims by Welshman Ncube et al, that the party is under the leadership of the Supreme Court nullified MDC 2019 leadership structure.
For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Jameson Zvidzai Timba is in charge of all party affairs through the administrative bureau. The party has no recognized position of acting president or a standing committee structure.
</blockquote>
He also announced that the CNA had ratified the expansion of the Administrative bureau to include heads of the several bureaus of the party.
Agency Gumbo was appointed Head of the Legal &amp; Parliamentary Affairs Bureau; Ropafadzo Makumire, Head of the Local Government Bureau; Leslie Mukurazhizha, Head of the Finance and Fundraising Bureau; and Mudzingwa as the Head of the People With Disabilities Bureau.
Mkwananzi said the CNA resolved that the Organising Bureau must continue to engage and mobilise the citizens towards the ultimate goal of creating a government based on the will of the people.
The Organising Bureau is headed by former Mkoba North MP, Amos Chibaya, a close ally of Chamia who was also present at the CCC media briefing.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Faction Disavows Ncube And Mafume

A CCC faction that is led by Jameson Timba has scoffed at pronouncements made by another faction that Welshman Ncube is now the party’s acting president.
In a statement issued this Wednesday, the CCC’s communications department headed by Promise Mkwananzi said the members of the faction led by Ncube are not bona fide CCC members as they derive their authority from the MDC Alliance’s Congress in Gweru of 2019 which was nullified by the courts.
The statement said CCC was formed in 2022 and has no link with MDC Alliance. It also said CCC has no Standing Committee, but its highest policy-making body is the Citizens National Assembly (CNA). Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
CCC Leadership &amp; Court Update
The CCC has taken note of the desperate, malicious and fallacious claims by Welshman Ncube to the effect that he is now the Acting President of the party.
He claims to derive his “authority” from a defunct Standing Committee elected at a supreme court nullified Congress of the MDC of 2019.
Professor Ncube and Tendai Biti the Co-Vice Presidents of MDCA and Jacob Mafume are lawyers and should know better that they cannot claim legitimacy from a process that the Supreme Court nullified. You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand
The CCC want to categorically state that Prof. Welshman Ncube is not its Acting President and that he and his lot are caught in a time warp.
The lot is merely advancing a factional and divisive agenda aimed at disrupting the peace and progress of the Citizens movement.
The Citizens Coalition for Change was founded on January 24, 2022, as a new formation and legal entity, separate in structure, formulation and leadership from the MDC and/or MDC Alliance.
It is these fundamental distinctions between the CCC and the MDC-A which isolated these factional and divisive characters from the citizens’ project.
It must be stated for completeness that both Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube have not been active members in good standing of the CCC having only attended not more than two of the 25 CNA meetings held to date.
The highest policy-making body of the Citizens Coalition for Change is the Citizens National Assembly (CNA) which is constituted of representatives from all the sixty-three districts in Zimbabwe plus Harare and Bulawayo.
The management of the party has always been through its bureaus, namely, Administration, Organising, Elections, Communications, International Relations, legal, Welfare, Youth and Women.
The Administration Bureau now led by Senator Jameson Timba and composed of all Bureau Chiefs plus ten Provincial representatives is in charge of the party following the resignation of the Change Champion In Chief.
There is no Standing Committee in the structure and anatomy of the CCC. The mandate of the Bureau of Administration and its leadership is derived from the Citizens National Assembly (CNA) as given on January 30, 2024.
We have taken note of the desperate and futile attempts at a reincarnation by the failed MDC-N and the PDP through public statements by Tendai Biti, Jacob Mafume and Welshman Ncube who now seek to claim paternity and leadership of the CCC.
It has now become clear to any reasonable person that these gentlemen and their cohorts have always been a part of the coordinated attack on the Citizens’ movement through the numerous recalls.
Their agenda is to reverse the democratic will of Zimbabweans across the country. And, as clearly articulated by Prof. Welshman Ncube, these are the handlers of Sengezo Tshabangu.
The apparent attacks directed at the CCC have been to the benefit of ZANU PF, which now holds a 2/3 majority in the Lower House.
This demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that Welshman Ncube et al have become enemies of the citizens’ aspirations for democracy and prosperity in Zimbabwe.
We wish to assure the Citizens of Zimbabwe and all progressive forces that the leadership of CCC will defend the people’s project from the machinations of these characters.
They will not stop our march to freedom, democracy, prosperity and the transition to NEW POLITICS.
Further, our CCC Leadership, the CNA and all party deployees in Parliament and Councils are undeterred and remain focused on addressing the plight of citizens amidst a growing economic meltdown in the country.
In the meantime, citizens are advised that the Supreme Court will tomorrow, the 22nd of February 2024 at 9:30 am, sit to determine an appeal filed by our deployees against the decision of the High Court per Justice Mutevedzi which dismissed their application in October 2023.
The said application was filed challenging the authority of the imposter, Sengezo Tshabangu to effect recalls of CCC Members of Parliament.
Citizens are encouraged to come out in solidarity with their elected representatives and the party.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Welshman Ncube And His Colleagues Are Not CCC Members - Mkwananzi

Promise Mkwananzi has announced that Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume is no longer a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party. Mkwananzi stated that Mafume was dismissed for associating with the party’s disputed secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu. This came after Mafume declared that the CCC faction led by Tshabangu held a meeting in Bulawayo and appointed interim presidents for the party.
Mafume explained that Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti, and Lynette Karenyi-Kore were selected as interim presidents, with each leader serving for 90 days before passing the role to the next person. Ncube would be the first to assume this position. Mafume was elected as the party’s national spokesperson, taking over from Promise Mkwananzi in August 2023, who had held the position previously.

<ul>
<li class="text-4xl border-b-2 border-[#e8e9ea] tracking-tight pb-4 font-bold pt-4"><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/02/17/welshman-ncube-tendai-biti-karenyi-kore-appointed-ccc-interim-presidents-amid-leadership-crisis/">Welshman Ncube, Tendai Biti, Karenyi-Kore Appointed CCC Interim Presidents Amid Leadership Crisis</a></li>
</ul>
During the meeting, it was also decided to reactivate the MDC 2019 congress posts, resulting in Chalton Hwende resuming the position of secretary general. These appointments are temporary until the party conducts an elective congress to choose permanent leaders, according to Mafume. However, in a statement seen by Pindula News, Mkwananzi, who still identifies himself as the CCC spokesperson, declared that these appointments hold no validity, implying internal factional conflicts within the party. Mkwananzi said:
<blockquote>
We have called the present press conference to update the citizens of Zimbabwe, the International community and all stakeholders of the change project on several key developments within the party and in our spaces within the governance structure of the country.
As you may now be aware, the party’s founder and leader, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa resigned as leader and head of the Citizens Coalition for Change; a history which we shall not regurgitate at this presser. It is at the backdrop of the said resignation that the party’s Citizens National Assembly convened and resolved the question of the leadership vacuum occasioned by the President’s resignation from the party. The undoubted consensus within the party’s membership and progressive leadership is that the President had become a target of a deliberate project sponsored by the parallel state and implemented by a fatigued and positions hungry lot seeking to sustain a Zanu PF rule in Zimbabwe.
It is important that we clarify that the resignation of the President was by no means intended to burn the party and its assets to the ground. The resignation has in fact breathed life to and sustained the fight for democratic transition in our country.
The struggle for democratic transition in Zimbabwe is undergoing a transition. That transition, entails the falling away of an old culture, old tendencies and old politics and to some extent, old personalities and characters. There is an unstoppable and refreshing birth of the new; characterised by a new culture of politics that is people centred as opposed to being position centred. The sacrifice by President Nelson Chamisa to abandon an institution which he founded must be understood in the context of this painful but real transition. We have to assert at this juncture that the CNA has resolved that the CCC and its deployees (MPs and Councillors) remain committed to the transitional process which will deliver a New Great Zimbabwe led by Adv. Nelson Chamisa.
Let there be no doubt, the party and its membership, represented by the resolutions of the CNA has given the task of managing the internal transitional processes of the party to Senator Jameson Timba who leads the Administration Bureau of the party with representation from all the ten provinces in Zimbabwe. Senator Jameson Timba, a senior political leader within the democratic movement in Zimbabwe carries a collective and technical mandate of running the affairs of the party ahead of President Nelson Chamisa’s treatise on the next step. In conformity with his mandate, Senator Jameson Timba announced a series of key appointments in the party’s Parliamentary leadership structure which has been confirmed by the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
All party deployees in Parliament are called upon to co-operate and work with the stated leadership in executing the party’s legislative agenda and in advancing the interests of the citizens. Any acts of insubordination, sabotage and rebellion shall be considered an affront to the country’s democratisation agenda and shall be meted with legal and political processes to ensure struggle discipline.
The party has taken note of the growing concerns around numerous evictions which have been carried out by the ZANU PF government in various parts of the country. We are concerned with the obvious affront to human rights and livelihood of many Zimbabwean citizens affected by what appears to be consequences of an unclosed chapter of a fractured land reform program. The party has thus appointed its Legal and Parliamentary Affairs bureau head, Honourable Agency Gumbo to lead a commission constituted by Members of Parliament and Councillors to embark on a national fact finding mission which will inform the party’s response to this growing national concern.
We further wish to communicate, unequivocally to the public, that there is a team which is presently moving around provinces carrying a special mandate of informing our base on the state of affairs in the democratic alternative. We dispel any notion and or innuendos thereof, by our detractors who seek to suggest a rift and lack of consensus on the strategic steps which are a parcel of the party’s internal transitional process. Without saying much, we advise the citizens of Zimbabwe to remain vigilant and understand that there is cohesion in the processes currently underway.
We have taken note of some rotten apples seeking to further the contamination within the party and its deployees. We have heard timid whispers emanating from Holiday Inn in Bulawayo wherein one Jacob Mafume mischievously makes pronouncements about the leadership of the CCC. We state categorically that the said pronouncements are null and void and are not a representation of the collective wisdom and resolution of the Citizens National Assembly.
We wish to state that Mr Mafume is not authorised to speak for and on behalf of the party, his obvious link with Sengezo Tshabangu and the unlawful recalls has now been confirmed. His reference to a supposed link between the CCC and the leadership of the MDC A is not only mischievous but a confirmation that he has ceased to be a member of the CCC. Accordingly, any deployee or leader of CCC who associates with this mischief will automatically cease to be a member of the party and the relevant political and legal consequences shall ensue.
Promise Mkwananzi 
National Spokesperson 
ONE PEOPLE ONE NATION ONE VISION
</blockquote>
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Promise Mkwananzi Says Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume No Longer A Member Of CCC Party

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is facing internal divisions following the resignation of party leader Nelson Chamisa. Two rival factions have announced separate plans for the party’s future. One faction, aligned with Chamisa, resolved to engage with him and form an interim committee to lead the party, the <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/amp/local-news/article/200022494/ccc-drama-rages-on">Standard</a> reported. They expressed their determination to defend the party and the people’s struggle against ZANU-PF and its allies.
Speaking at a press conference, the party’s national spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi also known as Promise Pfunye in some circles, said the Citizens National Assembly (CNA) resolved never to surrender the party to ZANU PF proxies. He said:
<blockquote>
In that regard, the CNA resolved never to surrender the struggle to ZANU PF and its cronies and will do everything possible to defend the people’s struggle and citizens’ interests, including court cases, illegal recalls and impostors, political arrests, the position of our deployees in councils and Parliament, shrinking democratic space, economic challenges, illegitimacy and many others.
During this transitional period, the CNA resolves to engage with Chamisa and the masses of our people across the country, advising the direction and way forward that the country and the party must take.
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi said they had appointed Senator Jameson Timba, as the chairperson of an administrative committee that includes Lesley Mukurazhizha, Ralf Magunje, Gideon Shoko, David Chimini, Prince Dubeko-Sibanda, Morgan Ncube, one Gondongwe, Susan Matsunga, Josiah Makombe and Maggie Chakabuda. He said the committee remains solidly behind Nelson Chamisa who resigned from the party on 24 January 2024 citing infiltration and hijacking of the party by ZANU PF and its allies within CCC.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/31/we-only-know-promise-mkwananzi-as-leader-of-tajamuka-sesijikile-ccc-official/">Another Faction</a></h3>
The other faction, led by disputed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, appointed an interim steering committee which will organise a congress to elect new party leadership ‘soon.’
The committee includes Dingilizwe Tshuma, former legislator for Entumbane-Njube constituency in Bulawayo as chair; Albert Mhlanga (former Pumula MP and deputy); Sengezo Tshabangu (secretary-general); Khaliphani Phugeni (information); Sikhululekile Moyo (interim chairperson for women); Nomvula Mguni (ex-proportional representation MP), Mbuso Siso (treasurer) and Benoni Ncube (youth).
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/31/we-only-know-promise-mkwananzi-as-leader-of-tajamuka-sesijikile-ccc-official/">The committee dismissed a proposal</a> by the MDC Alliance National Standing Committee, which met on 28 January 2024 and discussed CCC affairs, to revert to the party’s 2019 structures. Mbuso Siso said the MDC Alliance National Standing Committee is illegitimate due to a Supreme Court ruling in 2020 that declared Nelson Chamisa as not the legitimate leader of the MDC-T. Siso asserted that the structures that emerged from the MDC Alliance Congress of 2019 were nullified by the Supreme Court decision and cannot be imposed on CCC. He cautioned against dragging the party back into past conflicts and inviting Douglas Mwonzora, the leader of the MDC-T, back into the fold.
Amidst these divisions, some Members of Parliament have resigned expressing concerns about the party being controlled by the ruling party. They are pledging their loyalty to Chamisa who is allegedly planning to launch a new political movement.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Internal Divisions Intensify In The Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) After Chamisa's Resignation

Brighton Mutebuka, a Zimbabwean lawyer based in the UK, has provided an update on the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/30/mkwananzi-informs-parliament-hes-the-acting-president-in-ccc-hints-on-bringing-chamisa-back/">purported ascendancy of Promise Mkwananzi to the post of acting President</a> within Zimbabwe’s opposition movement. He stated that Mkwananzi denied being captured by the regime and stated that there were no genuine warrants against him. He said:
<blockquote>
Promise was in touch yesterday following my post. He protested against any insinuation that he might have been captured by the regime. These are his exact words: ” …. you could have just asked about the warrants and I would have gladly answered you. There was never a genuine warrant against me that time. It was just a way to derail my political activity.”
He also assured me that his ascendancy was above board and in the best interests of CCC in its unadulterated form while I also made it clear to him that I would seek corroboration from other parties as well.
</blockquote>
Mutebuka said he attempted to communicate with Promise but received no response. He said:
<blockquote>
When I later sought to afford him an opportunity to address the above issues, they were blue ticked meaning he read my messages but they went unanswered. I tried to call him but the call went unanswered. I finally sent him a text asking him to let me know when he would be free to have a chat. That was also blue ticked but not responded to.
</blockquote>
Mutebuka mentioned that he learned from Mkawananzi’s colleagues that when he declared himself as acting president of CCC, it was not his own idea. Others approached him to protect the interests of the remaining members of CCC. The situation changed during a recent CNA meeting, where Mr. Timba took over from Promise to safeguard those interests. They acknowledged that their current actions would involve engaging in strategic political moves with the regime. Mutebuka added: 
<blockquote>
Key Takeaways
i. Promise was not representing Chamisa’s interests yesterday. His ascendancy was in line with the fluidity of the situation.
ii. Credible reports suggest that there is now a 4-way tussle for the control of the CCC shell/carcass fronted by Timba, Hwende, Ncube and Tshabangu.
iii. Credible reports from his colleagues suggest that Promise indeed does have connections in the murky world of the regime’s security establishment.
iv. The reports further highlighted that, owing to those connections, he has created uncertainty in Hwende’s camp &amp; others that he could be empowered to wield recalls and by association have a shot at earning funding from the Political Parties’ Finance Act.
v. In short, all factions are rudderless, working at cross purposes and hopelessly at the mercy of the regime’s machinations. They hope to have a share of the assets but – that is the regime’s prerogative.
vi. It was telling that Promise was unable to either return my calls or provide a compelling account of how his warrants of arrest were overlooked by the regime. His explanation was as convenient as it was superficial/implausible. He was too eager to hush it up.
vii. He has thus failed the credibility/probity test. Warrants aren’t just cancelled, even when they are bogus, especially by a regime such as the Zim one. There is a legal/administrative process that is followed.
viii. Tshabangu’s reign of terror has effectively come to an end but not without wreaking havoc on Zim’s body politic unseen in generations and perhaps not to be seen in our lifetime.
ix. Via Tshabangu, ED has his two-thirds in sight while Nelson Chamisa has been forced out of office. It is Chamisa’s exit which has helped to smoothen/unlock/accelerate processes surrounding the release of the long-suffering Job “Wiwa” Sikhala.
x. CCC is dead. A new project is required which reflects on and addresses the cause of it’s demise. Those left in CCC now trying to resuscitate it are flogging a dead horse – regardless of the sincerity of their belief in how just they think their cause is.
</blockquote>
Mutebuka concludes that the regime has successfully manipulated the opposition, causing them to fight amongst themselves for power, similar to a polygamous marriage where attention is sought.
<h3>Sihkala’s Release</h3>
The impact of<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/30/job-sikhala-and-godfrey-sithole-handed-wholly-suspended-2-year-jail-sentences/"> Sikhala’s release</a> on the political landscape remains uncertain, as political figures like him are not typically released easily. Such a release can only happen with the approval of the political establishment, likely through a high-stakes arrangement on the political chessboard. Mutebuka believes that any such arrangement will not benefit the opposition, and the involvement of President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/31/tshabangu-negotiated-with-the-state-for-job-sikhalas-release/">Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lawyer and Tshabangu’s team signifies this.</a> Mutebuka says the timing and circumstances of Wiwa’s release are too conspicuous to be irrelevant, indicating a trade-off or political transaction behind the scenes. The nature of this trade-off will be revealed in due time.
Mutebuka suggests that Job’s release coinciding with Chamisa’s forced removal from CCC is too much of a political coincidence. The future will show whether their political paths will align or diverge. He says currently, the regime is moving closer to establishing a one-party state, gaining more control over the political landscape. Mutebuka urges Sikhala not to betray the people. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe Opposition Update: Promise Mkwananzi's Denial, Factional Struggles, And Sikhala's Release

Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, has informed Parliament that he is now the acting president of the party until a congress can be held. In a letter to Parliament, Mkwananzi stated that all party correspondence should be directed to him. He claimed that this decision was made following the resignation of Advocate Nelson Chamisa, the party’s former president. Read the letter:
<blockquote>
<h3>RE: NOTIFICATION OF ACTING PRESIDENT AND CHANNEL OF CORRESPONDENCE</h3>
Following the resignation of our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, this letter serves to notify you that the party has resolved that party spokesperson Mr Promise Mkwananzi takes charge of the party on an acting capacity until the conduction of congress in due course. This is a position agreed to by all key organs of the party. Accordingly, your esteemed offices are kindly requested to make all correspondence with and from the party through Mr Promise Mkwananzi. Looking forward to a cordial working relationship.
Yours faithfully
Promise Mkwananzi
National Spokesperson &amp; A/President
</blockquote>
As the acting president, Mkwananzi has outlined his plans for the party. Firstly, he intends to address the recalls that were initiated by the disputed interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, targeting CCC Members of Parliament and councillors. He said:
<blockquote>
In the coming days, we are going to fight for the following items:
1. That the recall letter submitted by the party to the ministry of local government, public works and national housing on Monday the 15th of January 2023 be expedited and effected.
2. That our candidates for the 3rd of February 2023 by-elections who are about to be unlawfully barred from participating be allowed to contest in line with the laws of Zimbabwe. It is a paradox that purported opposition leaders are at the forefront of barring fellow opposition leaders from contesting.
3. That all our Proportional Representatives in senate, parliament and council who were unlawfully recalled be retained as they had been selected by our leader and President Advocate Nelson Chamisa after the 23rd of August 2023 disputed elections.
4. That Hon Job Sikhala be immediately and unconditionally released from prison and compensated for the wrongful arrest and illegal detention.
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi expressed his admiration and loyalty to Nelson Chamisa, hinting at the possibility of bringing him back to the CCC. He compared Chamisa to a father who is chased away from home by crooks. He said the only option for his sons is to arm themselves and fight the bandits to bring back the exiled father. He said:
<blockquote>
Chamisa is not just my leader, he is also my mentor. Kana ukasvika kumusha nhubu dzadzinga Baba pamusha unonhonga tsvimbo wodzoza Baba pamusha.
</blockquote>
Chamisa resigned from the CCC on 24 January 2024, claiming that the party had been infiltrated and hijacked by the ruling ZANU PF and its allies within the CCC. It is speculated that Chamisa may now establish a social or political movement that differs from a traditional political party. His departure worsened the leadership crisis in CCC which had started shortly before the August 23, 2023 harmonised elections.
The CCC party was established in January 2022 and has been led by interim leaders. The party announced that a permanent leadership would be elected at an upcoming congress, but the date for this event is yet to be announced. Before the 2023 elections, the party’s leader, Chamisa, dissolved the party’s structures, allegedly to prevent infiltration. He retained his own position as president, but this decision caused disagreements among other party leaders, leading to divisions within the party.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Mkwananzi Informs Parliament He's The Acting President Of CCC, Hints At Bringing Chamisa Back

Senior officials of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) held a meeting on Sunday 28 January 2024 to address the leadership crisis that has worsened since the departure of Nelson Chamisa, the former leader. According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200022432/ccc-to-name-chamisa-replacement-tuesday">NewsDay</a>, the party is set to announce Chamisa’s replacement on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. During the crisis meeting, Nqobizitha Mlilo was appointed as the new party spokesperson, with Caston Matewu and Discent Bajila as his deputies.

<ul>
<li class="text-4xl border-b-2 border-[#e8e9ea] tracking-tight pb-4 font-bold pt-4"><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/29/nelson-chamisa-wont-form-a-new-political-party-after-leaving-ccc/">Nelson Chamisa Won’t Form A New Political Party After Leaving CCC</a></li>
<li class="text-4xl border-b-2 border-[#e8e9ea] tracking-tight pb-4 font-bold pt-4"><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/25/chamisa-i-no-longer-have-anything-to-do-with-ccc/">Chamisa: I No Longer Have Anything To Do With CCC</a></li>
</ul>
Chamisa left the main opposition in Zimbabwe, alleging that the party had been infiltrated and hijacked by the ruling ZANU PF and its allies within the CCC. Some CCC Members of Parliament and councillors have also left in support of Chamisa, who is reportedly establishing a new political group.
<h3>Rumours and more rumours</h3>
Karenyi Kore, Tendai Biti, and Welshman Ncube are considered the top contenders for the leadership position in the CCC. They were all elected as VPs by the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2019/05/27/mdc-congress-results-the-winners/">Gweru Congress of 2019.</a>
Meanwhile, there are reports that the party’s disputed interim secretary general, Sengezo Tshabangu, has reactivated the 2019 MDC Gweru Congress structures. However, Promise Mkwananzi, who has been the party’s spokesperson since August 2023, dismissed these reports and stated that the party would provide an official announcement.
Additionally, an unverified letter suggests that the party has decided to appoint Mkwananzi as the acting president until an elective congress is held within the CCC. The letter read:
<blockquote>
<h3>RE: NOTIFICATION OF ACTING PRESIDENT AND CHANNEL OF CORRESPONDENCE</h3>
Following the resignation of our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, this letter serves to notify you that the party has resolved that party spokesperson Mr Promise Mkwananzi takes charge of the party on an acting capacity until the conduction of congress in due course. This is a position agreed to by all key organs of the party. Accordingly, your esteemed offices are kindly requested to make all correspondence with and from the party through Mr Promise Mkwananzi. Looking forward to a cordial working relationship.
Yours faithfully
Promise Mkwananzi
National Spokesperson &amp; A/President“
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi has not dissociated himself from the letter.
Former Information Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo commented on the situation, stating that the circus surrounding Mkwananzi’s claim as Chamisa’s successor reflects more on Chamisa himself and his attempts to create political distractions. Mkwananzi is known to be a close and trusted ally of Chamisa. He previously held the position of President of the Zimbabwe National Student Union (ZINASU) from 2006 to 2007. However, during his time as a student leader, Mkwananzi was expelled from the University of Zimbabwe. Mkwananzi greatly admires Nelson Chamisa whom he idolises.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Leadership Crisis: CCC Officials Meet To Address Chamisa's Departure, Set To Announce Replacement

Promise Mkwananzi, the spokesperson of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, has dismissed a statement circulating on social media that claims the national leadership elected at the 2019 Gweru National Congress will take charge of the party following Nelson Chamisa’s resignation. In a post seen by Pindula News, Mkwananzi stated that the statement is bogus and that a formal statement will be issued soon. He said the party did not exist in 2019 and does not have a structure known as the Standing Committee. He urged party members to remain patient until official communication is made through their verified social media accounts. He said:
<blockquote>
Citizen’s Coalition For Change refutes a statement purportedly issued on its behalf on the 28th of January 2024 by unknown people claiming to be a Standing Committee.
CCC was formed on the 24th of January 2022 and only celebrated its 2nd anniversary a few days ago. The party did not exist in 2019 and does not have a structure known as the Standing Committee. The party is yet to conduct its inaugural congress.
CCC decisions are taken by its supreme decision-making body; the Citizens National Assembly (CNA) assisted by Provincial Taskforces and District Clusters.
CCC deployees in parliament and local authorities, activists, members, local leaders, supporters and members of the public are urged to remain patient until formal communication regarding the way forward is made and confirmed to be authentic.
Kindly disregard any statement purpoting to be from CCC which does not appear on the official social media handles of the party.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/26/mdc-alliance-gweru-congress-leadership-now-in-charge-of-ccc/">The statement being dismissed</a> was circulated following Chamisa’s departure from the main opposition party in Zimbabwe. The statement attributed to CCC’s Communications Department read in part:
<blockquote>
Today, 24th January 2024, Advocate Nelson Chamisa issued a statement whose essence was that he had ceased to be the President of the Citizens Coalition for Change party.
Following President Chamisa’s statement, the Party Leadership elected at the Gweru Congress convened an emergency meeting to consider both the contents of President Chamisa’s statement and its immediate implications.
It is important to remember that, President Chamisa was elected unopposed at the Gweru National Congress in May 2019.
His leadership and Presidency of the party have never been in dispute or contestation. Until his today’s statement, he was the undisputed President of the party.
The Party leadership resolved that power and authority will collectively reside in the national leadership elected at the Gweru National Congress.
The Leadership further reaffirmed the authority of National, Provincial, District, Ward and Branch Executive committees elected leading to the May 2019 Gweru Congress.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The leadership also resolved to lead a process to engage President Chamisa in a deliberate and determined manner in an effort to resolve some issues raised by Advocate Nelson Chamisa in his statement.
The Leadership further resolved that another leadership meeting will be convened as a matter of urgency and further announcements will be made after that meeting.
It is important that all party deployees in various positions of responsibility must continue executing their mandates whilst the leadership seeks ways to resolve the current issues.
The general membership of the party is also called upon to jealously guard and defend the unity and cohesion of the party, and to do all that will enhance the standing of the party.
</blockquote>
Chamisa left the party alleging infiltration by the ruling ZANU PF party following the recall of CCC Members of Parliament and councillors by Sengezo Tshabangu, the party’s disputed interim Secretary General. Chamisa’s departure has created uncertainty within the party, with some elected officials resigning from their positions to follow him. However, others have chosen to remain in office, stating that they are waiting to see Chamisa’s plans and that their constituents still need them. Chamisa, a former ICT minister, is reportedly <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/29/nelson-chamisa-wont-form-a-new-political-party-after-leaving-ccc/">considering forming a social or political movement</a> without traditional party structures.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

CCC Spokesperson Dismisses Statement On Leadership Change Amidst Chamisa's Resignation

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has dismissed the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) move to declare five ZANU PF candidates duly elected as members of the local authorities ahead of the 03 February 2024 by-elections.
ZEC made the declaration following the 19 January 2024 High Court order that nullified the nomination of the CCC candidates to contest the wards.
The wards are as follows: Chiredzi Town Council’s Wards 6 and 7, Harare Municipality’s Wards 5 and 18, and Manyame RDC Ward 7.
In a statement, CCC national spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said ZEC rushed its decision as the stipulated timeline for the party to lodge its appeal with the Supreme Court has not yet lapsed. Said Mkwananzi:
<blockquote>
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) wishes to inform members of the public that the statement by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) alleging that our candidates have been barred and therefore ZANU PF candidates have been duly elected following the High Court ruling of the 19th of January 2024 is false, inaccurate, misleading and premature.
We are still well within the stipulated timeline to lodge our appeal with the Supreme Court as provided for by the law.
We are going to lodge the appeal within the stipulated timeframe and our candidates, voters, supporters and members of the public are advised to forge on with their campaigns and preparations as planned and scheduled.
We urge the Zimbabwe Election Commission to endeavour to acquit itself with the highest level of professionalism, independence and objectivity.
We do not expect the electoral management body to recklessly jump the gun in matters of such national significance as this further diminishes ZEC’s already questioned standing as credible arbiter in national electoral contestations-a point already belaboured by the opposition, civil society and all electoral observer missions that participated in the disputed August 23, 2023, general elections.
</blockquote>
According to ZEC, the following ZANU PF local authority candidates have won their seats unopposed:
<ul>
<li>Costen Mombe – Chiredzi Town Council Ward 6</li>
<li>Brighton Nyashadzashe Mahiya – Chiredzi Town Council Ward 7</li>
<li>Abdurrahman Sapa – Harare Municipality Ward 5</li>
<li>Rufaro Daniel Matsika – Harare Municipality Ward 18</li>
<li>Simbarashe Ngarande – Manyame RDC Ward 7.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Dismisses ZEC's Declaration On 03 February By-elections

Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi has defended the move by the party’s candidates to contest by-elections set for 03 February under the CCC banner.
Barely two days before the 09 December by-elections, CCC activist Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the party’s interim secretary general, approached the High Court to bar the party’s MPs whom he recalled in October, from contesting as CCC candidates. The High Court ruled in his favour.
However, posting on X on Monday, Mkwananzi insisted that the High Court ruling has no effect because the party appealed against the judgement. Said Mkwananzi:
<blockquote>
We are pleased to announce that our candidates have successfully filed to contest in the upcoming by-elections.
There is no doubt that we will romp to victory once again. This is because we already won those seats which the regime seeks to reverse using unorthodox means.
There is a misconstrued narrative that our candidates should have contested as independent because of the court order that barred 9 of our parliamentary candidates on the 9th of December 2023.
This is a false narrative. We appealed against that Judgement which we believe was grossly misdirected.
The effect of our appeal is that that order has been suspended pending the determination of our appeal by the Supreme Court.
We have appealed against all judgements that have been made thus far. The effect of our appeals is therefore that all the Judgements are of no effect. They have been suspended pending a determination of the Supreme Court.
We have written to ZEC reminding them of the official signatories seconded by the party in the August harmonised elections and advising them that there are no changes as to those signatories.
In the same vein, we have implored ZEC not to accept or be complicit in the unauthorised use of Nelson Chamisa’s face and our intention to sue anyone using or in complicit in the unauthorised use of our brand manuals.
To conclude, we reiterate that there’s only one CCC led by Nelson Chamisa which is the sole sponsor of CCC candidates in the August 2023 harmonised elections as well as in the controversial by-elections arising out of illegal and senseless recalls.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, some of the recalled MPs decided to contest as independent candidates. Former Chegutu West MP Admore Chivero, Oliver Mutasa, who was the Zvimba East lawmaker, and Willard Madzimbamuto (Seke) all filed nomination papers as independent candidates.
CCC has double candidates in the Pelandaba-Tshabalala Constituency (Gift Siziva and Moreblessing Tembo) as well as in Goromonzi South (Rueben Chikudo and Stephen Chatiza).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mkwananzi Explains Why Recalled Members Filed Nomination Papers As CCC Candidates

Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has criticised the government for the way the by-elections held on 9 December 2023 were conducted. The CCC believes that these by-elections were unnecessary and that the government denied citizens the opportunity to vote.
The party’s spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, released a statement condemning the by-elections after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that ZANU PF had won 7 out of the 9 Parliamentary seats. These seats were previously held by CCC, which had won them in the August 2023 harmonized elections. The seats became vacant after Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-proclaimed interim secretary-general of CCC, recalled the CCC Members of Parliament, accusing them of no longer belonging to the party.
The CCC alleges that ZANU PF influenced Tshabangu to recall CCC MPs and argues that ZANU PF was the mastermind behind these by-elections. CCC MPs who had been recalled were barred by the courts from participating in the by-elections. Read Mkwananzi’s statement seen by Pindula News:
<blockquote>
<h3>Statement on the Fraudulent By-Elections</h3>
The just-ended ZANU PF masterminded by-elections gave the full picture of the regime’s brazen determination to undermine democracy, shred the constitution and deny citizens their inalienable right to vote representatives of their choice.
What is worse is a showcase of a complicit judiciary in undermining the very laws they are supposed to uphold. In a string of judicial absurdities on the eve of the by-elections, at midnight, Justice Muzenda, who contested ZANU PF primary elections in 2013, was brought from Mutare to deliver a nocturnal “order to execute” the Katiyo Judgement without granting CCC and it’s candidates their right to be heard through a lawyer of their choice.
Whereas the court was willing to hear ZANU PF imposters Tshabangu in the heart of the night, it refused to hear our appeal on an urgent basis with respect to the Mutevedzi Judgement.
Despite being the party sponsoring the recalled candidates and being party to the both the Katiyo proceedings and the resultant appeal, the CCC was not invited to Justice Muzenda’s Justice sojourn.
The party took all necessary legal steps to ensure the inclusion of our candidates on the ballot through appealing the misdirected Judgement by Justice Katiyo arising from an equally misdirected initial Judgement by Justice Mutevedzi. It is sad that more than forty years after independence, citizens have to approach the courts to be on the ballot paper and actually being denied that right, effectively denying citizens the choice to vote for the removed candidates.
The effect of the biased judgement is a judicial coup on the concerned constituencies and a result that is illegitimate and unrepresentative of the will of the voters. This further exacerbates the ongoing legitimacy impasse stemming out of the flawed sham of the 23rd of August 2023.
It is disturbing that the government spent a whooping USD5 million dollars conducting needless by-election only to deny citizens the choice to vote in that election further evidence of scarce financial resources poured down the drain at a time when resources are direly required to combat cholera, equip hospitals and prepare emergency measures for the forecasted severe drought.
The ill-fated by-elections are a sham as evidenced by an unprecedented low voter turn out and unusually high number of spoilt ballots both signalling the people’s anger and growing impatience against the regime’s shenanigans.
Coupled with the flawed and contested outcome of the 23rd of August 2023, the effect of this order is a judicial coup on the right to vote and to be voted for in Zimbabwe-an undeniable affront against the constitution of Zimbabwe. Accordingly, we will be filing a formal complaint with the Judicial Service Commission.
Under the continued leadership and guidance of CCC President Advocate Nelson Chamisa we continue to reiterate that only SADC-facilitated dialogue with a view to implement the reforms necessary to enable the conduction of a fresh election is the only solution to Zimbabwe’s deepening legitimacy and political crisis.
</blockquote>
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

"Zimbabwean Govt Spent USD5 Million Conducting Needless By-election, Denied Citizens To Vote" - CCC

The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa has urged voters to turn out in their numbers and vote for the party’s candidates in by-elections scheduled for Saturday, 09 December.
In a statement, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said a High Court ruling barring recalled CCC candidates from the poll, and an announcement by ZEC Chief Elections Officer, Utoile Silaigwana to withdraw ballot papers from the constituencies, have been nullified by the party’s appeal against the ruling at the Supreme Court. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
Our legal team has successfully served ZEC through the Chief of Elections Mr Utoile Silaigwana with our court appeal and a letter of all our legitimate candidates to be included on the ballot for tomorrow’s by-election.
The statement by Silaigwana that he has removed our candidates is therefore nullified by the court appeal.
Accordingly, by-elections are proceeding as scheduled tomorrow with all our candidates on the ballot paper.
We urge all citizens to turn out in their numbers to re-confirm our legitimate candidates by electing them back.
This whole debacle of going back and forth in the justice system has exposed the following:
a) ZANU PF has contaminated and corrupted our justice system through the criminal abuse of the courts.
b) They are afraid of proper elections and are using a nefarious, albeit failed, attempt to remove legitimately nominated candidates from the ballot paper.
c) They have tried without success to use the needless by-elections to divert our attention from claiming and pursuing our victory of the harmonised elections of August 2023.
The regime is afraid of our momentum and the huge and genuine political support that President Nelson Chamisa and the CCC have accumulated in the country.
This has been exposed by the clandestine use of named rogue elements to abduct, torture and assassinate our candidates and activists.
In Mabvuku-Tafara for example, they abducted and murdered Bishop Tapfumanei Masaya.
Although the perpetrators of these heinous acts are known and have been recorded on camera, no single arrest has been effected.
While seized with senseless and unlawful by-elections, government business has collapsed and resulted in Zimbabwean citizens being denied proper representation, their right to vote and the sanctity of their vote.
An opportunity to adequately debate, dissect, interpret and ensure that the national budget remains pro-poor has been lost.
All this mis-prioritisation is happening at a time when the nation is faced with unprecedented drought that will severely expose the fallacy of a bumper harvest through ill-conceived pfumvudza looting scheme leaving the majority of the citizens facing starvation.
The August 2023 elections were rigged as confirmed by all observer mission`s damming reports, making Mnangagwa’s government illegitimate and operating on a defacto and caretaker basis pending the final resolution of the electoral dispute.
As we grapple with finding a lasting political solution through SADC and other avenues, we urge the citizens of Zimbabwe to turn out in their numbers tomorrow to make an unequivocal statement by voting back their representatives as elected on the 23rd of August 2023.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Chamisa's CCC Vows To Participate In 09 December By-elections

<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Job_Sikhala/">Job Wiwa Sikhala</a>, the former Member of Parliament for Zengeza West, celebrated his 51st birthday in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison today. This is the second year in a row that he has spent his birthday in prison. He was sent to prison on June 14, 2022, after being accused of inciting public violence during the funeral wake of a slain CCC activist, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Moreblessing_Ali/">Moreblessing Ali</a>. The CCC party strongly opposes Sikhala’s continued detention and expresses their disapproval of the situation. Said the party:
<blockquote>
Today is Job Sikhala’s 51st birthday. He has spent both his 50th and 51st birthdays in prison for a crime he did not commit. Job Sikhala is a political prisoner who is being targeted and persecuted solely for his political beliefs. We must continue to advocate for his release.
</blockquote>
The party’s spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Promise_Mkwananzi/">Promise Mkwananzi</a> shared his personal experience of being detained at <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Chikurubi_Maximum_Security_Prison/">Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison</a> in 2016. He described arriving at the prison at dusk and witnessing the massive gates opening under the watchful eyes of heavily armed guards. Mkwananzi mentioned being placed in a holding cell with hardened criminals, and the challenges of staying strong for his fellow activists during their month-long detention. He added:
<blockquote>
As we celebrate Job Sikala’s 51st birthday, let us remember how torturous Prison conditions can be. More than FIVE HUNDRED DAYS of unlawful detention without trial. This man needs our prayers, our support &amp; our solidarity. Let us use his birthday today to celebrate his life, his sacrifices &amp; his service to the good cause for democracy in Zimbabwe, but let us also recommit ourselves to supporting him &amp; reviving the campaign for the immediate &amp; unconditional release of all political prisoners in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Gladys Kudzaishe Hlatywayo, another CCC official, expressed her grief over Job Sikhala’s “unjust” imprisonment for over 500 days while corrupt individuals go unpunished. She highlighted the stark contrast between an innocent man suffering in prison and those who steal from the nation’s funds facing no consequences. Kudzaishe deemed this grossly unfair and called attention to the injustice of the situation.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Former Zimbabwean MP Job Sikhala Spends 51st Birthday In Prison

The government has raised the security alert level in anticipation of planned protests by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The CCC is disputing the results of recent elections and has announced its intention to hold demonstrations. As a result, heavy police presence was observed in urban areas, with police conducting searches for weapons and disrupting public transport, according to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200018510/govt-quakes-over-ccc-protests">NewsDay</a>. The police have banned the protests, which were scheduled to take place. The CCC had sought permission to hold a peaceful demonstration to petition a government official, but their request was denied. The police memo read:
<blockquote>
This office acknowledges receipt of your notification to hold a peaceful demonstration to petition the Minister of State Bulawayo Province dated October 16, 2023.
Please note that your notification does not comply with the mandatory provisions of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.
</blockquote>
CCC spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Promise_Mkwananzi/">Promise Mkwananzi</a> said government and police responses showed that the regime was panicking. He said:
<blockquote>
This is not the behaviour of those who won an election. Obviously, they are panicking. The citizens will continue to find ways of expressing themselves.
</blockquote>
The opposition party, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Citizens'_Coalition_for_Change/">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)</a>, has urged its supporters to sign a petition denouncing the recalls of its elected officials. The party considers the recalls to be unconstitutional and disrespectful to the voters. They argue that the recalls were initiated by someone, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sengezo_Tshabangu/">Sengezo Tshabangu</a>, who is not a member of the party.
The party argues that despite fraudulent letters from Tshabangu, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Local Government and Public Works minister proceeded with the recalls, affecting 15 CCC MPs and 17 councillors.
Over 1,000 people have signed the petition, expressing their discontent. The CCC believes that these recalls have given the ruling ZANU PF party a two-thirds majority in Parliament and have targeted young women in leadership positions.
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Council_of_Churches/">Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC)</a> has also criticised the recalls and called for the repeal of the law allowing such actions. The CCC has taken the matter to court, while Tshabangu maintains that he has the authority to recall elected officials.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Government Raises Security Alert Level As Opposition CCC Prepares For Protests

CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said that he was chased by unknown gun-toting people “all the way to the party office.”
Posting on X this Monday, Mkwananzi said he had to seek refugee in the party offices while waiting for lawyers and journalists to arrive. He said:
<blockquote>
Gun-toting people have chased me all the way to the party office. They’re still at the gate where our security details are holding fort as we wait for lawyers and journalists to arrive.
</blockquote>
Last month, ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Mkwananzi was wanted for defaulting court proceedings over a case of public violence he was facing in 2020.
In a statement, Asst Comm Nyathi said the warrant of arrest was issued by Harare Magistrate Court on 22nd April 2020 for defaulting court proceedings. He said:
<blockquote>
Promise Dalubuhle Mkwananzi is facing incitement to commit public violence charges under Harare Central CR 2627/07/19 and Harare Public Prosecutor reference 11394/2019.
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi later said on the social media platform X that he had fled the country because police wanted to detain him “for no crime other than speaking out against a sham election”. He said:
<blockquote>
Following protracted efforts to get me detained for no crime other than speaking out against a sham election, I have left the country.
I will continue to do my work and fight for change from my new station until the Zimbabwean crisis has been resolved, which is not long, trust me.
I wish to reiterate I have no pending cases with the police. I was cleared of all the flimsy charges previously placed against me.
My resolve to fight for change runs deeper than they can imagine. Let us remain peaceful, vigilant and focused on ensuring Zimbabwe holds a fresh and free election.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, Chased By "Gun-toting People"

There was chaos in Parliament on Tuesday when anti-riot police were called to remove opposition <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Citizens'_Coalition_for_Change/">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)</a> legislators who were protesting the recall of their 15 colleagues. A CCC supporter from Bulawayo, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sengezo_Tshabangu/">Sengezo Tshabangu</a>, claimed to be the party’s interim secretary-general and initiated the recall of 15 CCC Members of Parliament (MPs) and 17 councillors, alleging that they were no longer members of the party.
When Speaker of the National Assembly, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Jacob_Mudenda/">Jacob Mudenda</a>, officially announced <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/010/09/speaker-of-parliament-jacob-mudenda-announces-recall-of-ccc-mps/">the recall of the MPs</a>, opposition MPs responded by singing and chanting slogans against Mudenda, bringing the proceedings to a halt. CCC interim organising secretary <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Amos_Chibaya/">Amos Chibaya</a> argued that Mudenda was wrong to accept Tshabangu’s letter, stating that all communication should come from their president,<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nelson_Chamisa/"> Nelson Chamisa</a>. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200017877/chaos-as-ccc-mps-defy-parly-recall">NewsDay</a> quotes him as saying:
<blockquote>
Mr Speaker, we wrote a letter to you dated September 11, notifying you that all communication comes from our president (Nelson) Chamisa.
I don’t think it is proper for you to rule in favour of Tshabangu.
</blockquote>
Mudenda ordered the recalled MPs to leave the House, but they refused and continued singing party songs. As a result, anti-riot police were called in to remove them. Mudenda also imposed a ban on all CCC MPs from attending Parliament for six sessions and docked their salaries for boycotting President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa/">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>‘s State of the Nation address the previous week.
While the chaos unfolded, Chamisa held meetings in Harare with party members to plan the way forward after the recall of MPs and councillors. CCC interim spokesperson <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Promise_Mkwananzi/">Promise Mkwananzi</a> dismissed Tshabangu as an impostor and a proxy for the ruling Zanu PF party. He said:
<blockquote>
Action will be taken after a collective decision of all party organs.
The consultative process is underway today (yesterday).
We are having a series of meetings to discuss the issue and we will advise our members of the next step.
But we will not allow Zanu PF to subvert the will of the people.
</blockquote>
Zanu PF, however, distanced itself from the recalls.
Human rights lawyer <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Beatrice_Mtetwa/">Beatrice Mtetwa</a> staged a solo demonstration in Harare against the recalls, holding a placard that read, “Tshabangu, respect our vote.” She expressed her anger over the recalls and criticised Mudenda for favouring political interests over the law.
Tshabangu’s spokesperson denied a circulating letter claiming that Chamisa had also been expelled from the party, stating that it was a fake document. The CCC was formed in January 2022 after the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2020/04/02/full-supreme-court-ruling-on-mdc-leadership-crisis-case/">Supreme Court ruled that Chamisa was not the leader of the MDC.</a> The CCC has yet to hold a congress to elect a permanent leadership since its establishment.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Chaos In Parliament As Anti-riot Police Eject CCC MPs

The opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) has scoffed at a letter penned by one Sengezo Tshabangu claiming to have recalled 15 CCC MPs and 17 councillors, among them the mayor of Masvingo City, Shantel Chiwara and the chairperson of the Epworth Local Board, Annah Sande.
Tshabangu, who claims to be the CCC interim Secretary General, wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Winston Chitando, purporting to recall the MPs and councillors.
In the letter dated 03 October 2023, Tshabangu said the elected officials have ceased to be members of CCC.
Responding to the development, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said Tshabangu is an imposter adding that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is aware of the party’s signatories. He posted on X:
<blockquote>
We note the desperation of an impostor who is masquerading as a member of CCC.
CCC has clear signatories known to ZEC and have the mandate of the party.
These people cannot abuse the name of our leader and the brand of our Party.
Following, a devastating defeat in the election, ZANU PF has resorted to desperate measures in sponsoring impostors to destabilize the party.
</blockquote>
Tshabangu is a former MDC-T and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) official believed to have signed letters that produced CCC double candidates in the 23 August 2023 Harmonised Elections.
PDP was a political party that was officially launched on 11 September 2015 and led by former Finance Minister Tendai Biti.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Tshabangu Is An Imposter", CCC Responds To "Recall" Of 15 MPs, 17 Councillors

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has warned CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi and his deputy Gift “Ostallos” Siziba against what he calls “casting aspersions” on Roman Catholic Church priest Father Fidelis Mukonori.
Mkwananzi and Siziba criticised Mukonori for suggesting that CCC leader Nelson Chamisa should concede defeat in the 23 August 2023 presidential race and talk to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In response, Charamba said the two should show respect to Mukonori as he is a seasoned negotiator, saying they (in apparent reference to the “System”) know Chamisa more than Mkwananzi and Siziba. Wrote Charamba on Twitter:
<blockquote>
Anyone with some modicum of political understanding knows that good politics is founded on basic respect for the Church and its counselling and prophetic role in the affairs of our Nation.
To have little boys like the fugitive Mkwananzi and Ostallos casting aspersions on a cleric with the standing of Father Fidelis Mukonori, smacks of despicable pretentiousness and downright ignorance of our history and contemporary affairs.
Just a cursory reading of our Liberation Struggle would have cautioned these two impressionable and excitable youngsters against such gratuitous insults.
Father Mukonori’s role in our Liberation Struggle and in key peace initiatives before and after our Independence is a matter of public record.
These included missions to Liberation Movements at the height of our Struggle, well before these two youngsters were born.
It is that historical and historic role that earned him his brokering role during the 2017 Operation.
While these two youngsters, incited by their equally youngster leader may be forgiven for not living or reading history, they cannot be excused for miscomprehending times and events they lived through. Or for cheaply abusing them for political expediency.
However angry Father Mukonori’s advice may make them, Chamisa knows that, as before, he stands to rue his excitable response to poll defeat and, again as before, will spend the coming five long years desperately knocking on many doors for accommodation by the winner, Dr ED Mnangagwa! We happen to know a little more about him than ever does these two youngsters!
</blockquote>
Chamisa has rejected the outcome of the presidential election and demanded fresh polls supervised by SADC.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Charamba Warns Mkwananzi And Siziba Against Vilifying Father Fidelis Mukonori

CCC has warned Roman Catholic priest Father Fidelis Mukonori that he risks losing the respect that he commanded over the years if he takes sides in political disputes in Zimbabwe.
Mukonori was quoted by a local daily publication as saying CCC leader Nelson Chamisa should concede defeat in the 23 August presidential election and seek dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declared Mnangagwa the winner with 52.6% of the total votes cast while Chamisa garnered 44%. However, Chamisa has rejected the results, calling the election a “gigantic fraud”.
Responding to Mukonori’s call for dialogue, CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said the opposition party is open to dialogue but not on the “winner versus loser” conditions outlined by Mukonori. 
Below is Mkwananzi’s full response to Mukonori’s cal for dialogue posted on X:
<blockquote>
A Response to Father Mukonori’s Call for Dialogue.
Noting the statement from Father Mukonori, it is essential to put things into perspective before responding to his call.
While Father Mukonori, has for years been a respected Father figure of the church in Zimbabwe, his conspicuous role in the events that led to the deposing of President Robert Mugabe through a coup by Mr. Mnangagwa diminished his societal standing and the respect he once enjoyed.
His skewed statements in today’s Herald Newspaper further affirm the questions that Zimbabweans have about the relationship Father Mukonori has with the Mnangagwa regime.
Father Mukonori ought to extricate himself from this partisan position if he is to retain the respect that he commanded over the years. 
At the very least, the electoral sham of August 2023 did not pass the test for an election. In other words, the events of the 23rd &amp; 24th of August 2023 cannot be a basis for Father Mukonori to talk about “winners &amp; losers”.
This is the position commonly held by all observer Missions that observed the elections. In short, if ever there would be dialogue in Zimbabwe, it would not take place on the basis of a winner and a loser but on the basis of two of Zimbabwe’s political leaders namely President [Nelson Chamisa and [Emmerson Mnangagwa].
Their dialogue would need to take place outside the purview of the ill-fated &amp; illegal POLAD Framework-a feeding trough for fringe political “leaders” who only care about their stomachs &amp; the benefits extended to them by Mr. Mnangagwa to undermine the leading party in Zimbabwe: the [CCC].
Accordingly, a genuine bilateral framework for dialogue will need to be facilitated between the two political leaders.
In addition, the dialogue must include several other key Stakeholders such as the church, civil society, Business, women, youth, informal traders, etc.
The dialogue must be underwritten by [SADC] from the outset &amp; be confined to only one objective: To establish a Transitional Authority whose sole mandate would be to deal with all issues that hinder a free &amp; fair election in Zimbabwe such as the disbanding of ZEC, political &amp; media reforms etc &amp; the conduction of a fresh, free &amp; fair election within the shortest practicable time to save Zimbabwe &amp; indeed the region which may suffer the most from the spillover effects of Zimbabwe’s incessant electoral disputes.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC Responds To Father Mukonori's Call For Dialogue

The Mayor of <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Bindura/">Bindura</a> Town Council, Jacob Gwature (39 years old) who is a member of the opposition <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Citizens%27_Coalition_for_Change/">Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)</a>, and his associate Jonathan Kapasi (49 years old) have been arrested on fraud charges involving US$6,970.
According to Assistant Commissioner <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Paul_Nyathi/">Paul Nyathi</a>, the national police spokesperson, the suspects, operating under the company name Pamhodzi Rainbow Network in Zimbabwe, received £5,000 (equivalent to US$6,970) from Kitchen Table Charities Trust in the United Kingdom. The funds were intended for drilling a borehole and installing a solar system at stand number 1305 Budiriro 1, Harare.
However, they failed to fulfil their obligations as per the agreement and did not proceed with the borehole drilling or solar system installation. Misheck Mlambo, representing Kitchen Table Charities Trust, deposited the funds into the suspects’ local bank account.
Following a complaint, the police arrested the suspects, who have since appeared in court. They have been remanded in custody until September 26, 2023, pending a bail application.
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says the charges are fictitious. The party’s spokesperson, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Promise_Mkwananzi/">Promise Mkwananzi</a> who himself is on the run said:
<blockquote>
Bindura Mayor Cllr Jacob Gwature appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court this morning &amp; has been remanded in custody to Tuesday 26th of September 2023. Cllr. Gwature, like many of our leaders &amp; officials faces fictitious charges dating as far back as 2021. On Tuesday, the 26th of September 2023, we urge our supporters to fill up the Court in solidarity with the Mayor as well as to demonstrate our dismay &amp; opposition against the abuse of state institutions to undermine the will &amp; choices of the people of Zimbabwe. To restore &amp; retain the people’s trust &amp; confidence , our Courts must refuse to be reduced to ZANU PF’s instruments of persecution. The courts ought &amp; must be seen to be carrying our justice without fear or favour. His Legal Advisor Enerst Jena is of the opinion that this is not a criminal matter &amp; must be before a civil not a criminal Court, and rightly so. We are however are that this has been brought before the criminal Court to persecute &amp; try to tarnish Cllr Gwature’s reputation.
</blockquote>
The party expressed concern over the ongoing harassment of its members by the Harare regime, following an election they deemed shambolic and rigged. The CCC said the arrest was unjust. Some, however, questioned why the party fielded candidates with criminal pasts, as their actions may affect their future roles. They said law enforcement has a constitutional duty to address crime and cannot remain inactive.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

CCC's Bindura Mayor Has Been Arrested On Fraud Charges

The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa has denounced the arrest of Sunningdale Member of Parliament (MP), <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Maureen_Kademaunga/">Maureen Kademaunga.</a>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) announced that Kademaunga was arrested together with Councilor for Ward 10, Clayd Mashozhera (49), along with Daudi Jessub (40), for alleged attempted murder and malicious damage to property. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the CCC party said the charges were fabricated shortly after the 23-24 August harmonised elections. Read the statement on X, (formerly Twitter):
<blockquote>
The Law and Order division of @PoliceZimbabwe has unjustly arrested our Sunningdale MP, @MaureenKade, on fabricated charges, shortly after a controversial, rigged, chaotic, and fraudulent election. We vehemently condemn the regime’s actions in persecuting our members with baseless accusations.
</blockquote>
The CCC’s spokesperson, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Promise_Mkwananzi/">Promise Mkwananzi</a>, also denounced the arrest and detention of Maureen Kademaunga, alleging that it is President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s retaliation against the opposition for supporting CCC leader Nelson Chamisa in the harmonised elections. He said:
<blockquote>
We condenm the arrest &amp; detention of Hon. @MaureenKade MP for Sunnindale constituency. Like all political prisoners, Maureen is being detained at Harare Central Police Station on flimsy &amp; cooked up charges. Mr. Mnangagwa has heightened repression &amp; vindication against our Party leaders, activists, members, supporters &amp; the generality of the Citizens for voting for @nelsonchamisa &amp; @CCCZimbabwe.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/09/07/ccc-spokesperson-mkwananzi-on-the-run-as-police-offer-reward-for-his-arrest/">Mkwananzi himself is on the run</a> after police offered a reward for information on his whereabouts. In a statement seen by Pindula News, Mkwananzi, formerly a leader of the Tajamuka/Sesijikile campaign, claimed that the police targeted him for criticising what he viewed as a fraudulent election. 
Police also said they were looking for Clayd Mashozhera (who has been arrested) and Noel Munhuweyi. According to Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police spokesperson, Mkwananzi failed to attend court proceedings and a warrant of arrest was been issued against him.
Mkwananzi faces charges related to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Additionally, Mashozhera and Munhuweyi are wanted in connection with allegations of assault and malicious damage to property. The ZRP offered a reward of USD$1000 for credible information leading to the arrest of the suspects.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Opposition CCC Has Denounced The Arrest Of MP Maureen Kademaunga

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is hunting for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson, Promise Dalubuhle Mkwananzi, Clayd Mashozhera and Noel Munhuweyi. In a statement seen by Pindula News, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Mkwananzi defaulted court proceedings and was duly issued with a warrant of arrest. He said:
<blockquote>
<h3>POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF PROMISE MKWANANZI, CLAYD MASHOZHERA AN NOEL MUNHUWEYI.</h3>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police seeks information in connection with the current location of Promise Dalubuhle Mkwananzi, Clayd Mashozhera and Noel Munhuweyi.
Promise Dalubuhle Mkwananzi is facing two counts of contravening section 22 (2) (e) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 and contravening section 187 (1)(b) as read with subsection 36 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law(Codification and Reform) Chapter 9:23. The suspect defaulted court proceedings and was duly issued with a warrant of arrest under Harare Central CR 2627/07/19 and Harare Magistrate Court CRB 12115/19.
Clayd Mashozhera and Noel Mhunhuweyi are facing three counts of Assault and Malicious Damage to Property after allegedly beating four complainants and setting their vehicle on fire in Sunningdale, Harare on 23rd August 2023.
A reward of USD$1000-00 (cash) is being offered to anyone who supplies credible information leading to the location and subsequent arrest of the suspects. 
Members of the public with information should feel free to contact Zimbabwe Republic Police National Complaints Desk on 0242-703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800 197 or Criminal Investigations Department Law and Order Harare on 0242- 753411 or 756688.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-263392" decoding="async" height="673" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-4.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-4.jpeg 648w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-4-289x300.jpeg 289w" width="648"/> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-263393" decoding="async" height="436" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-3.jpeg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-3.jpeg 720w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/appeal-3-300x182.jpeg 300w" width="720"/>
</blockquote>
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Police Hunting For CCC Spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi

ZANU PF and its affiliate, Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), have allegedly threatened to suppress Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters to disrupt planned opposition protests against disputed poll results. The CCC’s spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, said the party has received reports of its supporters being trailed and threatened by FAZ members. He told NewsDay on Thursday:
<blockquote>
 They are all over the place targeting our members and supporters. Some of them (CCC supporters) have gone into hiding.
ZANU PF must abstain from violence and other extra-judicial operations that are meant to harm or kill CCC supporters. CCC is a legal and leading party in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Muzarabani South CCC losing candidate Wellington Gweru claimed to have gone into hiding due to targeting by ZANU PF and FAZ members. He said:
<blockquote>
I am worried about my polling agents, family, supporters, friends and relatives whom I think are targeted. I am failing to account for one agent. 
I was attacked at Goromokwa Farm on my way to a polling station by agents known as Mandi and Rwodzi.
They tracked me everywhere and they attacked my car. I made a police report at Centenary Police Station under RRB 549762. I also failed to transport food to my election agents on polling day.
</blockquote>
Reports of CCC supporters in hiding have emerged from various areas including Zaka, Bikita, Umguza and Sanyati. According to reports, Vutisani Mushinyi, the chairperson of the Chilonga irrigation scheme, had fled across the border prior to the August 23 and 24 harmonised elections.
The rise in cases of political violence against CCC supporters comes as the Masvingo Centre for Research, Advocacy and Development (MACRAD) said this week that victims in Chiredzi district have reportedly skipped the border. MACRAD said:
<blockquote>
For the first time after independence, ward 6 in Chiredzi South was won by an opposition councillor. The ruling party structures in Chiredzi South are breathing fire and promising violence to all those who were behind the opposition councillor. This also resulted in most indigenous Shangaan youth migrating to South Africa, afraid of being victimised, as some are still nursing wounds and some have lost their homes to fire.
</blockquote>
A WhatsApp audio obtained by NewsDay revealed alleged ZANU PF supporters discussing retribution against individuals who pretended to support ZANU PF but voted for the opposition in the Seke constituency. ZANU PF denied the allegations, emphasizing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for peace. ZANU PF acting information director, Farai Marapira said:
<blockquote>
 Our President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been calling for peace and any violence should be condemned in the strongest terms.
The election period has largely been peaceful, and the ruling party wants to maintain that.
</blockquote>
The CCC, citing irregularities and voter intimidation, has refused to accept the election results and plans to engage in protests. The opposition party intends to launch a 30-day campaign to demand a rerun of the polls. 
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi cautioned citizens against engaging in planned protests. He emphasized that the law requires obtaining police clearance for any political gathering, as stated in the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act. Nyathi also warned:
<blockquote>
The law is very clear, anyone who wants to do any form of political gathering should get clearance from the police and this is clear in terms of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act, anyone who contravenes the law should be able to face the consequences.
The police have taken note of offensive messages circulating on social media platforms openly agitating for violence and illegal gatherings, especially in Harare and Bulawayo.
</blockquote>
During a discussion on resolving post-election conflict, citizens expressed diverse views on the planned protests. CCC activist Nimrod Zivhu warned that President Mnangagwa would face consequences if he continued illegitimately. Another participant, Bernard Muchemwa, believed the protests could lead to significant unrest and cautioned against escalating tensions. It is worth noting that in 2018, six civilians lost their lives in post-election protests.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

ZANU PF And FAZ Allegedly Aim To Suppress CCC Supporters, Disrupt Planned Protests

Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has initiated a 30-day campaign calling for fresh elections following last week’s controversial poll results.
The party argues that the elections were severely flawed, making the outcome illegitimate. They propose holding new elections under the supervision of an “impartial” electoral body, different from the “biased” Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), or preferably under the supervision of SADC, African Union (AU), and or the United Nations (UN).
CCC spokesperson Promise Mkhwananzi announced the launch of the #CitizensFreshElection campaign, urging all concerned citizens to actively participate. Mkhwananzi, formerly a leader of the Tajamuka/Sesijikile pressure group, was recently appointed as the party’s spokesperson to address upcoming challenges and lead the call for new elections. He said:
<blockquote>
Following Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Assembly resolution to reject the electoral sham of August 2023, I wish to announce that my communications department will be launching a 30 day #CitizensFreshElection campaign. Every aggrieved Citizen must play a part in this historic journey.
</blockquote>
The CCC’s call for fresh elections has sparked debate among supporters and analysts, with differing opinions on the best approach to take. Some argue that the CCC should have accepted victory in the 73 National Assembly Constituencies and solely contested the Presidential election results. The party claims that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) manipulated the results in favor of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the ZANU PF candidate. On the other hand, there are those who believe that rejecting the results entirely will attract the attention of key stakeholders like SADC, AU, and UN, ultimately pressuring Zimbabwe to ensure transparency in future elections.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Zimbabwe 2023 Elections: CCC Launches 30-day Campaign Calling For Fresh Elections

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has reported that their press conference held in Harare at SAPES Trust was disrupted by suspected ZANU PF individuals and law enforcement members. The conference was being addressed by Promise Mkwananzi, the newly appointed spokesperson of the party. Said the party on X, formerly Twitter:
<blockquote>
Our press conference has been violently disrupted by suspected ZANU PF thugs and individuals identified as members of law enforcement. The disruptive team arrived in three vehicles: a Ford Ranger, Mazda BT50, and Toyota Hilux. Their purpose was to disrupt our peaceful press conference. We strongly condemn this unacceptable violent behavior by ZANU PF thugs. It is disheartening to note that while they held their own press conferences without disturbance, our event was targeted. Furthermore, the involvement of law enforcement in leading this group is both sad and regrettable.
</blockquote>
Mkwananzi was discussing recent developments following the August 23-24 elections. Mkwananzi praised “impartial” foreign observer missions (SADC, Commonwealth, EU) that acknowledged the elections’ failure to meet constitutional requirements. The observers raised concerns about flaws in delimitation, delayed Voters’ Roll release, high fees, disruption of rallies, unconstitutionality of the Patriotic Bill, disqualification of a candidate, gender parity, judiciary independence, voter intimidation, postal voting controversies, and biased state-owned media. Mkwananzi reported violence incidents, including assaults on CCC members and abductions of Dorothy Musonza. He highlighted a police report and mentioned over 100 recorded incidents. Mkwananzi believed data favoured Nelson Chamisa to win and urged the timely and accurate announcement of results. He called for peace and vigilance against undermining the people’s will.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

CCC Says Suspected ZANU PF Thugs, Law Enforcement Agents Disrupted Its Press Conference

A press conference held by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) was interrupted by suspected members of  Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ) group at SAPES Trust in Harare on Saturday. During the chaos, unidentified men in their 30s or 40s disembarked an an unregistered vehicle and took press papers being read by CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi. Media personnel tried to identify themselves, but they did not reveal their identities. Media and CCC officials followed them to the car which left the scene a moments later. CCC officials arrested the man who took the papers, declaring their intention to hand him over to the police.
During the press conference, Mkwananzi discussed recent developments following the August 23-24 elections. He commended “impartial” foreign observer missions such as SADC, Commonwealth, and the EU. These missions acknowledged that the elections did not fully meet constitutional requirements. They raised concerns about flaws in the delimitation process, delayed release of the Voters’ Roll by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), high fees for accessing the Voters’ Roll, disruption of opposition rallies, unconstitutionality of the Patriotic Bill, disqualification of a presidential candidate, high nomination fees, insufficient progress in achieving gender parity, concerns about the independence of the Judiciary, allegations of voter intimidation, controversies surrounding postal voting, and biased state-owned media favoring the ruling party. The observer missions also noted that the elections were conducted peacefully.
Mkwananzi reported incidents of violence across the country. He stated that ZANU PF officials assaulted CCC members during vote counting and verification. He provided an example of an assault on Solomon Hodhera of CCC by Ngonidzashe Mudekunye, the ZANU PF candidate for Buhera South constituency, at Muzokoomba Business Centre on August 24. A police report was filed under reference number RRB52934361223. Dorothy Musonza of Harare South and her agents were abducted, and polling agents were chased away. Ellen Chakaneta’s house was reportedly burnt in Buhera, and some members’ houses were pelted with stones in Highlands. Mkwananzi said over 100 such incidents were recorded nationwide.
Mkwananzi mentioned that the data they received indicated a favorable position for Nelson Chamisa to win the presidential election. He urged ZEC to promptly and accurately announce the results. He called upon Zimbabweans to remain peaceful and vigilant against any attempts to undermine the will of the people.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Suspected FAZ Members Disrupt CCC Presser In Harare

Tajamuka/Sesijikile leader Promise Mkwananzi was on Monday freed by the High Court on $1 000 bail following his arrest and subsequent treason charge related to the January 2019 mass protests.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Mkwananzi will report to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) three times per week as part of his bail conditions.
The firebrand political activist left the country for the United Kingdom following a government crackdown on activists thought to be masterminders of the protests.
He later moved to South Africa from where he called for a national shutdown in July. The envisaged protests, however, turned out to be a damp squib.

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